So, Willis is comparable to some of the QBs coming out next year. Stroud and Young and Richardson all seem to headline that class, although if we’ve learned anything, that’s subject to change.
The problem is sites like Walter Football have an early run with all 3 of those players going in the top 5. They have Richardson to Detroit at No. 5.
Yet some of you are fairly convinced that Detroit will be decent enough next year to potentially fall just outside of the top 10. Maybe high single digits, but top 5 is unlikely (and frankly, shouldn’t be, if we’re to believe that this thing is actually being built the right way).
Complicating this further is that the majority of this forum is at the very least not sold on Goff—the common refrain is that we’re willing to give him '22 to hang himself before we move on. Detroit’s back-up quarterbacks leave a lot to be desired. Most wouldn’t crack a practice squad.
So when do we get a quarterback, especially one that—like some of those mentioned above—likely isn’t ready to start immediately, either? Do we jettison Goff if he shits the bed and start an unprepared rookie at QB in 2023? Nab a veteran free agent? Trade (GASP! NO!) picks to move up and get the QB we need if necessary? And if so, why would give up draft capital in '23 when we can just nab our quarterback now?
This is what makes Willis a compelling bet.
For the record, I still think Detroit goes edge at No. 2, especially if Hutch is around. But if they’re planning for the future, and if Campbell meant what he said about preferring mobile quarterbacks, then there could be a draft day surprise.
I’ll leave you with this, from FOX Sports …
As noted in this post-Senior Bowl breakdown of all six participating quarterbacks, Thursday’s throwing contest required the QBs to lob the ball into a trash can from 30 yards away. Willis was the most accurate of the trio, with his last two (of three) passes rimming off. But winning it says something about Willis’ poise in the spotlight, especially considering that immediately before the quarterbacks threw, acting head coach Duce Staley instructed the American Team players to stand next to the passer they believed would win the competition. More than half of his teammates immediately shifted toward Willis, with the other half roughly mixed in choosing between Howell, a three-time All-ACC pick, and Zappe, who led the nation with a video game-like 62 touchdowns in 2021.
